FORM and Polar bring heart rate to augmented reality swim goggles

The FORM Swim Goggles with ‘augmented-reality display’ will support Polar heart rate technology starting in November 2019. According to the companies, this latest development enables a level of training effectiveness and precision never before experienced by swimmers.

The FORM Swim Goggles are a pair of premium swim goggles with a see-through, augmented-reality display that delivers performance metrics in real time. The Polar OH1 and OH1+ are optical heart rate monitors that ‘combine versatility, comfort, and simplicity’.

In November 2019, the FORM Swim Goggles will support the Polar OH1 and OH1+ through a free software update from FORM.

By using the FORM Swim Goggles in conjunction with either the Polar OH1 or OH1+, swimmers will have the ability to view their heart rate in their line of sight throughout their swim, enabling them to ‘measure their effort in the moment – something that was previously impossible in the sport of swimming’.

Completed swims will sync to the FORM Swim App for iPhone and Android, which will match up heart rate data to metrics such as split times, stroke rate, stroke count, pace per 100, and calories in a single, easy-to-navigate view. FORM adds that, armed with these tools, swimmers and coaches will gain greater insight into each swim, and they’ll be able to design future swim workouts with greater precision than before.

“FORM has worked closely with Polar since 2018 to enable this functionality,” said Dan Eisenhardt, founder and CEO of FORM. “We’ve done extensive testing in the pool with swimmers of all levels, including elite competitive swimmers, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

“Polar heart rate monitor tech is trusted by athletes around the world. By adding it to the arsenal of metrics that our goggles already deliver, we’ll empower serious swimmers to make their training even smarter and more purposeful. We’ll also further empower coaches and enhance the coach-swimmer dynamic.”

The Polar OH1/OH1+ will attach to the FORM Swim Goggles strap, where it will sit against the swimmer’s temple, monitoring heart rate using its 6 LED optical sensor and proprietary heart rate algorithm.

Real-time heart rate data will be transmitted wirelessly from the OH1/OH1+ to the FORM Swim Goggles, enabling the swimmer to see their heart rate in their line of sight, while they swim. Once the swim is complete, syncing the goggles with the FORM Swim App for iPhone and Android will allow the swimmer and their coach to review detailed workout stats, including heart rate.

“Polar works with companies who, like us, are leaders in their respective fields,” said Tom Fowler, President of Polar USA. “FORM has built a truly transformative product, and we’re proud to have worked with them over the past year to bring Polar heart rate to the FORM Swim Goggles.

“Polar continues to be the gold standard in heart rate technology, with constant advancements in our hardware and software products continually raising the industry benchmarks for accuracy and reliability. Today’s announcement takes our leadership to an exciting new frontier.”

The FORM Swim Goggles are available now from FORM. The Polar OH1 and OH1+ are available now from Polar and its authorized distributors and retailers. The FORM Swim Goggles will support the Polar OH1 and OH1+ starting in November 2019 with a free software update from FORM.

FORM was founded in 2016 in Vancouver, Canada, by Dan Eisenhardt, a sports technology entrepreneur and former NJCAA competitive swimmer. His previous company, Recon Instruments, was a leader in augmented-reality eyewear for sports and was acquired by Intel in 2015.

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